Kingmaker

Recap: We head to New Rhotesh for a birthday. One of the elven girls has started a horse riding fad calling it umascene. She says there was a druid that had a sentient horse as a companion. It’s name was Windchaser. She would like us to collect one of Windchaser’s offspring. Bensk knocked up a twig. ildred was given a taxidermed diarama of a tatzleworm fighting an owlbear by Loras Shadewest from Tatzleford for Ildred’s birthday. Keston spoke to Idred about Marshal Drew, suggested him for lord mayor of Northgate. He’s very admin minded. Elim Garak, a dark elf, was made lord mayor of Crooked Falls. Someone came into Tatzleford from the west warning of an army of giant trolls. They’ll arrive in three days.

Svetlana is sent to contact Lyyl and Locke.

The seventh, it’s a new moon. Two days until the arrival of the trolls. The three of us (Ildred, Locke, and Eluicid), speak to the woman that saw the trolls. Shes in army leathers and she’s scraped and dirty. She’s a human named Cassandra Numesti. Baron Hannis Drelev of Brevoy established the Drelev Desmense with a charter from the swordlords. Her father was one of several that was with Baron Drelev. They got invaded, her father was ordered to turn her over to the barbarians. The other nobles were ordered to turn their daughters over as well. She snuck out with the army. The barbarians march with trolls. Her father is in the dungeon for not turning her over. Drelev surrendered to the barbarians. The lord of Pitax is giving aid to the Tiger Lord barbarians, led by Armag. a couple of hundred barbarians and giants are said to be headed our way.

We send a unit of razorcloaks to recon to see how far off they are but it’s too late. They’re here.

There’s a booking at the Velvet Pony for one of the best singers in Brevoy. Her name is Anastasia Ilota. Also booked for that night is the Sapphire Imp acting troupe. There’s a bit of a kerfuffle. Svetlana is mortified. Mariah gets lippy. The people are worried how this will make Kamedon look outside the kingdom. The kingdom’s rep is on the line. Ildred can not bring himself…to give a crap. We bring in the manager of the Velvet Pony, Joser Rutledge. He says it was it’s the fault of an employee at the Velvet Pony. Ildred still does not care.

We make the plan to build an arena or theater and decide to invite them both to the inaugural celebration. We talk to the manager of the Sapphire Imp. His name is “Peg” Stromfield. He has a peg leg. He wears a hat with a feather in it and a fluffy shirt. Eluiseid introduces us to him and aplogizes on behalf of the Velvet Pony for their carelessness. The Sapphire Imp will be compensated for their time regardless of them performing or not. He tells him we’re planning on building a performance venue and that we’re going to throw a party on Founding Day, next month. The Sapphire Imp is going to perform in the Town Hall free for the people, since they’ve been paid already. Ildred makes it a point to stop by the Town Hall during this week.

We bring Anastasia Ilota in to talk to her. “The Velvet Pony is your venue.” “We will be opening a larger stage.” She accepts. She tells us that word of this venue (Velvet Pony) is spreading. In some places the profession (prostitution) is not publicly looked upon very well. This venue has become a prestigious place for the arts and bring families as well as making mainstream the needs of people is fantastic.

Kingdom Building Phase

Svetlana calls a Stormlord meeting, all to be in attendance. She would like to offer the slate she’s come up with for noble titles:

The Houtens, from Taldor. Old Man Houten’s ancestors were in this land way back in the day to try and tame it. All but Belladonna and Galadrianna are confirmed. Svetlana writes up letters of invitation.

Day before the festival, Belladonna and Eluiseid meet. They come to terms concerning her joining his diplomatic corps.

Day of the festival. The opening of the amphitheater. People do shows, the crowds love it. The evening comes, torches and lanterns lit, then they dim. Light in the middle of the stage, Anastasia is standing there amidst colors, lights, and music. Then the Sapphire Imp troupe starts to perform to Anastasia’s music. They announce that they’ll be touring together as one act. After the performance Jhod comes up to Ildred. One of his people performed a ceremony earlier this evening. Khamontep and Belladonna got married.

Galadrianna walked out of the Narlmarches and laid claim to the mage’s tower. Her claim was questioned so a tournament was held. She was victorious. She uses it to house an order of mages. She’s beautiful, wise, and people look up to her.

Master Ironbrow is Master craftsmen, a shipbuilder. He’s very influential. We guess (through Svetlana) than he’s an older dwarf due to the metal plates on the side of his face and forehead that he probably received as a result of some accidents.

Rusty is a common citizen that seems to know a lot and helps people and everyone knows him. He’s a man of the people.

We wake up and our bedrooms are riddled with spider webs made of fey gossamer material. Ildred, angry, finds Emeril (the member of the Order currently on watch). Emeril is a man of the north. His beard has been shaved and he seems groggy like he’s been asleep. He didn’t see anything and doesn’t know what happened. Ildred is angry.

Eluiseid sees a light buzz by from the gossamer. Locke recognizes it as fey and then he and Eluiseid go to talk to Ildred about it. Bear is summoned and is damp when he arrives. Ildred shows him the gossamer. A buzzy light floats by. Bear will research.

Some riders arrive in town and report they’re unable to fulfill our work orders for roads in hex G 3-4 because their equipment disappears or breaks. Their men are having issues. The work can’t get done.

Bear discovers that the gossamer is a fey networking system. Made for travel. It’s a form of travel that they haven’t used in over an age. But they don’t use it in the material plane.

We travel to the hex in question with the work guy. We leave gems on the ground to see if Tyg and Perlivash show up. They appear when Locke starts talking about us plowing their home to make roads. Eluiseid apologizes and tries to come to terms. Tyg considers the offer. The group is sentenced to play tag and hide and seek.

Perlivash is it, tags Eluiseid. We play games all day. The road situation is resolved and the men may continue.

We go to Northgate to see the construction. We meet with Kesten Garess. He seems upset about something. Lyyl calls him out for being displeased that Khamontep is moving here. Locke asks us to leave to talk to him alone.

He’s upset because we took a delicate situation and “put a brick in it.” She’s (Belladonna) going to feel like she needs to respond. Locke explains that the Stormlords are spreading out and tells him that Khamontep loves the arena.

We go to Candlemere to visit the candidates for lord mayor. We start with Master Ironbrow. “If chosen I’d do my best,” states commerce would be his priority. Says he would be honored to take the position.

We speak to Galadrianna next. She flows in, the object of beauty and grace. Slight glow about her. She says its a wonderful thing to be looked up to and entrusted by such wonderful people who seek words of wisdom and to learn from their own wisdom. States that the mage order is more like a “club” to perfect the craft, avoid mistakes, work for good, to cleanse darkness from the area. Says she would serve gladly. Her priorities would be to bring harmony, as a city, to function as a part of nation. Different types of peoples to work together as one. She disappears in a puff of smoke after saying some magic words.

We talk to Rusty next. He says he was floored at receiving the nomination. Says he does what he can. Makes his living on tips. Locke rolls empathy, he’s on the up and up. He just wants everyone to be happy and feel good about what their doing. He’s about morale.

We go back to Ironbrow. He thinks we’re trying to illicit bribes, he asks how much we want. Galadrianna gives us gifts called hearthstones. They port us home, one time. She felt something going on in Elkheart. A wave of positive energies. She poofs off again.

We return to Rusty to tell him he got the job. He appreciates the honor we do him.

We head back to Elkheart on an Ironbrow ship. We arrive at night. We see a glow coming from Elkheart, it’s very bright. As we get closer we see an actual light eminating from the mage tower. We anchor at the pier and head to the mage tower. At the mage tower we are let in by Vlad. He lets us up to see for ourselves. Bear is suspended by his feet, completely immersed in a vat of bubbling dark liquid. He feels great. He’s been in the vat upside down for 13 hours. “Night of the new moon, there was a light. Any women of childbearing age that was having intercourse that night will be pregnant.”

Fate Day, the day that we have the event in Northgate. We are introduced to Belladonna, she sits near Locke and winks at Khamontep. The games are kind of like races and other Olympic type stuff, feats of strengths.

“Your lordships, I have convinced some of your men (Khamontep’s) to make special arrangement at the garrison (a party).” We are going. It’s a power play. “His men have taken great care to make it a memorable evening.”

Locke and Eluiseid speak to the side, “What do people think of Belladonna and what do they think of Kesten Garess?” Maybe Garess is in over his head. Garess can’t prove it but knows she’s running something, loan sharking, thieving, maybe murder.

The Nightingales look into her. People love her, she’s charitable, gives money away. Personable, never turns people away. They call her Lady Belladonna. Kesten Garess is very well respected as a man of law and order. Very well looked up to. Complaints about him are typical stuff for a man in his position. People suspect her of running girls on the streets.

She (Belladonna) gives Orinn an ornate, bejeweled sword.

Ildred remains incredibly suspicious of her. Locke and Eluiseid seem satisfied that she’s not up to anything overly malicious.

A quick note to keep you informed on my journey to my home on the Thorn River. I know you’re a busy man, and I certainly know my responsibilities to both Nature and Kamedon keep me occupied. So…notes.

I am not nearly the wordsmith that you are; a visit from the Grand Diplomat himself may be required to explain to my fellow neighbors that I will not be representing them in the People’s Assembly. I repeated the argument you gave me, which at the time sounded like the only possible outcome. But there’s more to speech than just words and I am a novice in these matters.

Lily is finding that rain is more bearable under the fine ceilings of Elkheart than the trees’ canopy. But whenever her enthusiasm diminishes, out comes that old artifact the baron gave her. She always cheers right up. I don’t see it.

We traveled to Rastilholm, from where I’m writing you. Here, I see an opportunity for Lily. Her peers are here; many serving both Kamedon and the Elk. Rastilholm is a good place for her to learn some basics of diplomacy where the demands are not too great. Jhod informs me he can find a place for her to start providing basic diplomatic services.

You requested a list of some of the abilities that have allowed me to thrive in the supposedly harsh Narlmarches. It is my respect and honor to nature that grants me my success. Here are the tools that nature rewards me.

FSITC

May Nature and the Baron grant us many green fields!
Roln, from the Woods, Ambassador General in service to the Baron and People of Kamedon

We stand here tonight in the “commons” — an area of public gathering and meeting. Look at your feet! Look where you stand! What do you see? Mud! Yet if we cast our gaze a bit, we see a grand castle! The fruits of your labor! Built on your shoulders! As is the prosperity of the entire barony of Kamedon! Yet our so-called leaders would squandor your efforts — the sweat and blood that you and your families shed — for their own glory!

Castle indeed! What kind of resources — our resources—went to this grand endeavor!? Could they not have better served our community in several other ways? Could we not have, perhaps, a barracks? Or a granary? Or even (and I only bring this up for the safety of the young ladies in question, who are already “at work” on the streets) a brothel? Or perhaps a place that the public already demands — by evidence of our standing here (in the mud!) a town hall, or at the very least a tavern!

We shall return to the issue of the castle momentarily, my friends, but in the mean time, let me ask you this! While our “hard-working” Baron Ildred and his inner circle were directing the resources of our country towards expansion — building roads and mining for gold miles from our home — where were we to bury our dead? Are we to be denied the very basic “luxury” of the decency of a consecrated graveyard on this desecrated hill so we don’t have to worry about the possiblity of our loved ones returning as one of the walking dead? Or are our “leaders” so numb to their daily hauntings and making pacts with such foul spirits as to be ignorant to such “petty” concerns of gods-fearing folk such as us?

But no, my friends! These “Stormlords” (the arrogance of such a name!) are concerned only with expansion! Of building their roads, and lifting their own names in grandeur instead of building our home here and insuring our safety! Even the smallest two-bit baron with a crumbling tower on the plains of ire, when coming into some coin, builds a fence to protect his cattle — what have we? A council of fat-cats who sit on their petty thrones when a world of dangers exist right beyond our borders!

Do they bother to see what exists beyond!? Nay, they do not! Do they bother to protect us!? Nay!

We see how much they favor us, when they choose to include one of their own’s “treasure” in the protection of the barony rather than claim land suitable for farming that is much closer to home! Why, I ask you, did the Temple of the Elk — 50 miles hence as the crow flies — plant the flag of Kamedon, when fertile ground not 9 miles from here saw neither flag nor plough!? Glory to them is apparently much more important than the well-being of us “little folk!”

And if it’s a matter of producing for the Barony as a whole, then what of the Rezbins? They who already are settling and anxious to pledge themselves to Kamedon’s cause? No, these “poor folk” — folk like you and me — are not worthy of the attention of our Glory-Mongering Rulers! Much better to have the ruins of a pet temple than an actual producing settlement with hard-working people already there!

The motives of these so-called “heroes” really stagger the imagination!! They would call themselves our leaders, but where is their judgement!? Where is the evidence of their heroism!?

We have a pack of vile nasty creatures — kobolds! — living — free as you will — in the heart of our own barony! Do you feel safe traveling in the borders of your own countryside with these vile things roaming free? Do you feel safe for your children?

And now I ask you in open, honest wonderment — did these “heroes” slay a unicorn? Whether you believe they did or not, certainly there is some question! And surely by their own admission its blood is on their hands!

And beyond that, we have to wonder, and ask honestly — was there ever really a Stag Lord!? Or did they “kill him”!? After all, this warden of ours certainly has a questionable past! Even if he is truly on the path of Redemption (an honorable path to be certain, yes!), what exactly was his role in this Stag Lord’s gang? Could he have been this so-called Stag Lord? Or could this “Stag Lord” have been an invention in the first place?

And now that this “fearsome evil” has been put down, suddenly our baron now bears his entire visage. But it’s not one to be feared — oh no, now it’s no longer fearsome, but sacred. Are we to be fools!? Fear the visage one moment, then to bow down to it the next!?

However you believe it, be there a Stag Lord or no, it smacks of Glory-Mongering and deceit!

Speaking of deceit, have we noticed that our silver-tongued grand diplomat comes directly out of the bandit houses of Pitax? Where are his loyalties? Is he to be trusted at all?

And our national hero — the general of our armies — while certainly capable with sword — is still but a young girl! Barely of child-bearing age, and yet we can do no better? Truly!?

The elven marshal has no values in common with us, the “regular folk”! He seems to trust no god, and keeps council with no man — or woman! How do you trust someone who trusts no one!?

Not many weeks hence around the time of the full moon, there were horrible murders and talks of wolves, and bounties, and investigations, and rumors flew — and rumors continue to fly! Why all the secrets!? I put it to you directly: Was a werewolf among us? What happened to it? They tell us it was just increased wolf activity! But common sense tells us there is more to this! Secret meetings in the castle! Investigations in-town for an increase in animal activity? No, my friends, this is merely a symptom of a greater disease: Kamedon has no law.

It is a truth we hold most honorable that Courts Are For Kings, and that in our River Kingdoms, all within a territory are subject to a ruler’s laws. What is truly upsetting in Kamedon, is that none of our esteemed rulers, least of all the good baron himself, have bothered to tell us what these laws are! Indeed, it seems as if they are making them up as they go along!

This, I suspect, is what happened to our werewolf “guest” this full moon past. Did it escape? Get executed? Cured? Released? Who knows!?

Let’s not even speculate on that any further, but rather look to something we do know about!

Recall, if you will, the horrible, tragic events of Abadius 22 of this year. Fourteen dead, including two children, and many wounded, with great loss of house and property in the dead of winter. As we all know, this could have been much worse, and if not for the community coming together — if not for you all coming together — we could have lost all we have worked for! The wilderness could right this very moment be reclaiming the land on which we now stand!

Our rulers blamed it on a poor traveling merchant who, they tell us, was drunken, and spilling his wares of alchemist’s fire. If you recall, this man was hanged — personally by the baron himself — and his body was put on display on the walls of the ruins.

But I ask you — who among us has not personally seen (or at the least heard of) the hauntings that follow Baron Ildred? Have not glasses flown off of shelves as he passed by? Have not doors opened or closed on their own when he was near? Has not something slipped from his grasp and flown, seemingly on its own, several feet down the street?

Is it possible the baron’s own hauntings caused that tragedy? Is it possible this merchant was falsely accused and hanged unworthily? And what was the purpose of placing his body on display? Perhaps to further the deception? Well we shall never know. There was no trial! There was no law to be broken! Was there truly justice?

Just a broken body of a poor merchant, hung with no trial, having broken no law, displayed on the walls of a ruined castle — but not for long. Fortunately, our esteemed council took the good will that came in from the surrounding counties after our tragedy and that very following month built themselves a great brand new castle!

Yes, think back, my friends. Do you remember now? While the houses that burned yet reeked of smoke, and while the bodies were yet warm in their graves (but not in any sacred graveyard), they were in the shadow of that shining new castle! Can we say “Glory-Mongerers”!?

Have we yet had enough!? These puppets of Restov have that boy whispering the swordlords’ will in their ears! “Holiday to Rostland” indeed!

I’m not saying they’re no good at anything — they’re great at delegating their whims! The tale is told of how, when they first arrived in this land, they delegated the execution of a bandit to Oleg — the merchant.

Enough is enough! They have come to this land and built what they have built on your shoulders — again, I say, with your sweat and with your blood! We need someone who will respect the will of the people and the wants and desires of the people. We need a baron … or a king … or someone to rule us as we deserve!

Say it with me! Down with the baron! Down with the stormlords! Down with the baron! Down with the stormlords!

Wealday, Calistril 30, 4710 AR
Oleg’s Trading Post:
The party is met by a young woman, Svetlana, Oleg’s 25 year old wife. Oleg is doing repairs to a roof.

Oleg says that bandits come on the first day of every month. They have done so for the last four months. He informs us that they took Svetlana’s wedding ring. Tomorrow is Pharast 1st.

The party spends the rest of the day preparing an ambush.

Oathday, Pharast 1, 4710
Oleg’s Trading Post:
Four bandits attempt to raid the trading post. Three are killed, including Happs (the leader, had a silver amulet of a stag head). Oleg hangs the dead bandits above the entrance to the trading post. One is kept alive for questioning.
- “Happs was a fool. He should have stayed a city guard.” He came 10 years prior from Restov.

- Reveals that Crestle is the real boss of the bandit gang. She’s offered money and freedom but she’ll only give Crestle up for two hours with Svetlana. Oleg insists that any negotiation involving Svetlana is off the table.

- Reveals that Crestle did not keep Svetlana’s wedding ring, but instead tossed it to a male in the group.

She refuses to cooperate any further, “Kill me or let me go.” We place her in a midden without any shoes as the temperature drops and snow begins to fall.

Celebril keeps checking on her to see if she’s become more compliant. He finds her almost dead. She’s released into the guesthouse and Ildred casts a healing spell on her. She remains unrepentant.

After a much heated debate the party decides to execute justice on the fourth bandit. Oleg performs the execution and proceeds to hang her body up with the others.

Oleg asks that we find the wedding ring.

Svetlana asks that we find moonradishes.

The party leaves Oleg’s to investigate the smoke.

Greenbelt Plains:
After several hours of travel Celebril sees a makeshift shelter near a copse of woods. Presumably it’s the source of the smoke. Celebril rides out to the camp and catches the scent of burning blood. Sees tent fabric stretched over sticks. Sees bits of animal parts. They were chopped up hurriedly. He hears a voice from the camp, “Is there any more left?” Celebril sees bits of barding that are similar to the barding on the horses the bandits rode in Oleg’s. The bandits hear Celebril’s approach. They fight Celebril, but die.

Celebril returns to the party (sometime in the night?) to find that practical jokes have been played on them (pants fall down, etc). Likely this was done by mischievous fey.

We decide to return to Oleg’s in the morning.

Sunday, Pharast 4, 4710
Oleg’s Trading Post:
We deliver the bodies of the two bandits to Oleg. He hangs them up with the other four. Oleg says the guards will pay us for the bandits when they get to the post.

We decide to begin exploring the Greenbelt in the morning.

Moonday, Pharast 5, 4710
Greenbelt Plains:
Day spent in travel.

In the night we discover more pranks. Lyyl‘s pouches have been rearranged, Celebril’s ear is red.

Toilday, Pharast 6, 4710
Greenbelt Plains:
The party discovers an area of about a 200 sq. ft. radius of bones. The bones are from boars, bears, and humans.

During an inspection of the bones the party is attacked by a spider. It is dispatched.

There is a pit; 5 ft. wide, 25 ft. deep. Ildred descends. He sees a few skeletons in the pit, some boars and humans. He sees the bones of a dead bandit. He drags it topside for further inspection. The remains are decided to be female in gender, wearing leather armor and a scrap of paper in her shoes. The paper bares the image of a claw-shaped dead tree atop an otherwise barren hill. An “X” is drawn in blood at the root of the trees.

We decide to leave 2 gold a piece for the faeries. Ildred leaves a note that says “You’re Welcome.”

Wealday, Pharast 7, 4710
Greenbelt Forest:
Prior to heading into the forest we awaken to find Eliucid‘s beard is in tiny braids and Ildred’s pants are down.

In the forest we see the first thaw since the snowstorm. It’s chilly but warm.

We find a clearing where moonradishes are growing (Svetlana had asked Eliucid to find some for her). In the clearing are four moaning kobolds. They are full of moonradishes and high as kites. Eliucid tries to steal one of the three baskets full of radishes, but the kobolds are protective of their drug supply. We fight them and win.